Oklahoma City, OK (Sports Network) – Kevin Durant scored 30 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Russell Westbrook totaled 28 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, leading Oklahoma City to a 106-95 victory over Chicago in the season opener for both teams at the Oklahoma City Arena.
Durant connected on just 9-of-24 shots from the field but made 11-of-13 from the line as the Thunder made 38 foul shots en route to the victory — including 12 from Westbrook. Jeff Green scored 21 for the hosts, who are coming off a 50-win season and first-round playoff defeat to the defending champion Lakers.
Derrick Rose scored 28 points, but made only 12-of-31 shots, and handed out six assists. Joakim Noah scored 18 points and grabbed 19 boards for Chicago, which fired head coach Vinny Del Negro after a 41-win season and first-round exit from the playoffs at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Tom Thibodeau suffered the loss in his NBA head coaching debut.